Why Small Businesses Matter in Norwalk: Maria's Friends

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Why Small Businesses Matter

Shop small, do big things for your community

Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!

You're IT Maria's Friends!

Four questions with Kipp Visi, owner of Maria's Friends.

Why did you start your business?

The real reason why is our owner Leydis' passion for children's education and bilingualism and realizing a lifelong dream. An additional summary would be our mission statement: To generate entertaining experiences that will keep children interested in learning a new language, such as Spanish, through the use of play as the best strategy in teaching and learning. A longer story can be found here and an even longer format can be found in the podcast Leydis did.

What is your best-selling product/service?

COVID has changed this as our best-selling product used to be in-person group classes on-site at our location, but now our best-selling product is our in-home semi-private group classes!

How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?

We relied on support, products, and advice from Maikana Foods (for our special events), Lorca Coffee (for co-advertising and special events catering), Music Together (co-branding), Jumpin' Jams (grand opening co-branding), BusyBee (for advertising and advice), LocalMoms Network for Stamford, Norwalk, and Darien (for advertising).

Have you "reimagined" your small business?

Unfortunately (although we choose to see the good in it) COVID forced us to reimagine our business. We had to close down our beloved retail space during the pandemic, but we were able to shift to online and in-home classes and identified a fantastic core group of loyal customers that stuck with our program and experienced amazing results with their children. We recently partnered with a local church for in-person group classes again. We are continuing to reimagine our business with possible camps or daycare options being considered for the future.

Kipp would like to nominate Danielle Brown at Thumbs Up Yoga to be featured next!

Maria's Friends is located at 515 West Avenue in Norwalk. Visit Maria's Friends online here, and make sure to check out their Facebook, and Instagram pages as well!

HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!

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Submitted by Norwalk, CT

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